vchimpanzee After Japanese tourists are killed in a rental car, Chicago public relations executive Allie Brayman sees this as an opportunity. Allie is up for a big promotion, and while she has a go-go-go lifestyle, with a BMW whose license plate says 'PRRRRR' (how cute!), she does make time for her family. It's a good thing, because her father is not in good health.Allie also has time for romance. At a work-related party at the Cook County Railroad Museum (actually the Canada Railway Museum), she meets Kyle. Unfortunately, Kyle has a jealous ex-girlfriend with serious drug and alcohol problems, and what happens next becomes a public relations nightmare for Allie.And just when Allie thinks things can't get any worse, they do. This movie becomes quite a chilling adventure, with lots of interesting twists.I didn't recognize Elizabeth Berkley at first. Before I turned this movie on, I didn't even know who was in it. I just concluded it looked interesting. Berkley wasn't anything special at first, and I was prepared to say that the best thing about her was how good she looked. Even that wasn't noticeable at first, since she looked completely professional in her first scene. Later, though, she effectively showed a number of different emotions, and being a public relations person, Allie would have to know how to lie convincingly. She did! Berkley had a number of good scenes.Joel Wyner did a great job as the mysterious Kyle. And Barry Flatman also impressed as Allie's boss.There was some violence, but not too much. The real concern for parents, in addition to the adult situations, would be sexual content.The railroad museum was one of my favorite parts of the movie, especially when old-style jazz music was played. I liked the old train cars.It wasn't a great mystery/thriller, but I wouldn't say bad either.

mjstock I've read the other reviews of this film with some interest in theirdiversity of opinions. Those who questioned Berkley's range as anactress must not have seen "Showgirls (1995)." In that movie sheplayed Nomi Malone,a slutty, low-class-to-the-bone, dancing starwannabe. I see a lot of contrast here, especially in her formal,dress-up scenes. In "Any Given Sunday (1999)," she played a littledifferent role, Mandy Murphy, a sexy cocktail party seductress,trying to hit on Al Pacino. "That's ok, I like older men,"...orsomething like that. I must admit that I haven't seen her as a WWFgirl or a mud wrestling scene, for that matter. But I hope that kind ofstuff is not required to establish "range."What kept my attention during "Random Encounter" was thealmost Hitchcockian plot, complete with surprise ending (surpriseto me, anyway). Although the clues were scattered throughout themovie, it was late in the film when I figured out "who dunnit."This film also reminded me of the Jag Mundhra film "Sexual Malice(1994)," in which Diana Barton plays a role similar to Berlkey's in"Random Encouner."I think it is one of the best of its genre. (But since I'm the onlyperson on my block who refuses to watch "reality tv" and recentCoors commercials, don't trust my taste.)

omarazam I was surprised at how watchable and unpredictable this was. I don't think it was overtly obvious which suspect was behind this mystery, which is pretty good in my book. ALso, I liked the CHicago ambience. I noticed the cop's name was Royko, a tribute to the old time legendary CHicago journalist of the same name. I was blown away when the credits rolled and it was revealed that this was a purely French Candaian production.SPOILER ALERT BELOW THis was one of the worst endings to a film I have seen. What kind of ending is that? What happened to her boss (walking out of the board meeting is not symbolic enough for me. Does she get away with it? Was the intention to have the murder or was her boss telling the truth about his intentions? And what the heck was up with the credits rolling over shots of ELizabeth on golden pond with her dad?) I am dead sure that something halted production of this film for the ending to be so carelessly presented.

Mike-368 Since 1995 Elizabeth Berkley has graduated -- entering the group of actors & actresses who can deliver a dramatic message convincingly. In "Random Encounter" -- unfortunately made for cable only -- she shows the range of acting capacity that is the trademark of the professional mature actress. High marks for her performance here! -- let's hope that she gets her break with this film.